‘Locked In’ Joe Burrow Makes Moving Statement About Bengals Ahead of 2026 Season

The 2026 season is a crucial year for Joe Burrow as he's close to completing his five year contract and has very little to show for it.

‘Locked In’ Joe Burrow Makes Moving Statement About Bengals Ahead of 2026 Season

Joe Burrow (Image via IMAGO)

Joe Burrow’s three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals following the $52 million APY contract extension were underwhelming. Injuries and the Bengals’ poor defense played a big part in the dry run.

Burrow believes 2026 will be different. The Bengals made smart business dealings in the offseason. They added players of the caliber of Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, and Bryan Cook. They also drafted highly regarded edge Cashius Howell, DB Tacario Davis, and wide receiver Colbie Young—making some solid acquisitions.

Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Burrow compared the current Bengals roster with the 2019 LSU team that won the college football championship final.

I know we have kind of people that wanna be in that spot [on media’s radar]. I want everybody to talk about the Bengals… Talking about what I am saying in the press conferences… 2019 season at LSU—I feel similarly about this team. I am so excited to get started.

Joe Burrow said to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team

That LSU team boasted several generational talents across the roster. Of course, Burrow quarterbacked the team. Ja’Marr Chase, his Bengals teammate, was one half of the star receiver duo at LSU alongside Justin Jefferson (now with the Minnesota Vikings, whom most consider the best receiver in football). The defense also ranked among the best that year.

Burrow won the Heisman Trophy, Chase was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff Award for being the most outstanding receiver, and Jefferson caught the most passes that year (111 receptions for 1540 yards and scored a staggering 18 receiving touchdowns).

Burrow just echoed the same sentiment of a previous statement about a month ago.

This is the most talented [Bengals] roster we’ve had since I’ve been here. The front office has taken a lot of heat from the fans, the public, [and] the media. We can put all of that behind us. They went and made it happen with free agency.

Joe Burrow continued

Burrow played his role to perfection in 2024-25. He led the league in pass completions (460), passing yards (4918), and passing touchdowns (43). He also registered a 108.5 passer rating (best of his NFL career).

Pundits expected Burrow to continue on the same trajectory in 2025. A couple of wins to start the season solidified the hypotheses until Burrow picked up an injury and missed a few games. Cincinnati fell behind the rat race.

Fortunately, the other three teams in the division, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cleveland, were all equally bad. By the time Burrow started another game, the season was out of their hands. He went 5-3, but the Bengals won just six games all season.

RELATED
Jameis Winston Brought An Actual Goat To Watch Lionel Messi’s Historic Game Against Algeria

Joe Burrow talks about his contract situation

Burrow is entering the fourth year of his contract. That means the Bengals must start discussing an extension within the next ten to twelve months.

'Locked In' Joe Burrow Makes Moving Statement About Bengals Ahead of 2026 Season
Joe Burrow (Image via IMAGO)

In the meantime, Burrow agreed to restructure his contract. This freed up around $10 million in cap space for the current season. It was a necessary move. This allowed the Bengals to make the Lawrence deal. The star player opened up about it recently.

It opened up some cap space, which is good for us. I have been open about how I am willing to do whatever they need me to do so they can operate freely and we’ll continue doing that as needed.

Joe Burrow via FOX 19

On the flip side, Burrow, Chase, and Tee Higgins’ mammoth contracts forced the Bengals to let All-Pro edge Trey Hendrickson leave earlier in the year. Burrow wanted the Bengals to keep Hendrickson in Cincinnati. Eventually, he signed a contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Also Read: